home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
User's Choice Windows CD
/
User's Choice Windows CD (CMS Software)(1993).iso
/
win_u_z
/
winutil2.zip
/
FREEMEM.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-02-28
|
13KB
|
279 lines
*************************************************************************
* METZ FreeMem is offered without charge by: *
* *
* METZ Software *
* P.O. Box 6699 *
* Bellevue, WA 98008-0699 *
* *
* For more information or to order METZ products, call: *
* 1-(800) 447-1712 *
* *
* Copyright (c) 1991-1992 METZ Software *
* All rights reserved. *
*************************************************************************
METZ FREEMEM OVERVIEW
METZ FreeMem is a Microsoft Windows 3.0 utility which monitors and
displays the percentage of free system resources and the amount of
free memory available. With METZ FreeMem you can monitor your Windows
memory usage and avoid "Out of memory" messages.
MEMORY, RESOURCES, WINDOWS, AND YOU
In the Microsoft Windows environment, there is both real and
virtual memory. Real memory is the base memory of up to 640K
(655,360 bytes). Virtual memory is a combination of extended memory
and the memory which is swapped to disk by Windows. You can increase
virtual memory by increasing the amount of extended memory you have
and/or by increasing the size of your Windows swapfile. (See the
Microsoft Windows User's Guide for more information on using swapfiles.)
Because memory prices are now quite low, it is a good idea to
install at least 4MB of memory on your system. If you typically use
several large applications simultaneously, you may want to add even
more memory.
Windows applications also use system resources. The memory available
for system resources consist of two 64K pools, one for the User Interface,
the other for the Graphics Device Interface, for a total of 128K memory.
Windows has a limitation on the amount of system resources available, and
when several applications are loaded, you may reach this system resource
usage limit. You may see an "Out of memory" error message when this
occurs. Because the amount of memory available for system resources is
limited, you will usually run out of system resources before running out
of memory.
USING METZ FREEMEM
METZ FreeMem displays the amount of free memory on the right side of
its application window. FreeMem displays the percentage of free system
resources on the left portion of its window.
To test system resource and memory usage for a specific Windows
application:
1. Set up METZ FreeMem to check memory and to compact memory every
1 second.
2. Close any applications you are not using.
3. Note the percentage of resources and amount of memory free
displayed by METZ FreeMem.
4. Run the application you want to test.
5. Note the change in resources and free memory displayed by
by METZ FreeMem.
6. Close the application you are testing.
7. Finally, check to see if the resource and free memory displayed
by METZ FreeMem have returned to the same levels they were at
before you ran the application.
This procedure will reveal the following information about the
application you are testing:
1. Whether the application is using an extraordinary amount of
system resources and/or memory.
2. Whether it is "cleaning up" used memory efficiently. The
levels of available system resources and free memory should
return to the same level they were at before you ran the
application.
We ran a simple test comparing different applications and observed
the following:
Resources used Memory used
Program Manager 15%+ 17K
MS-DOS Executive 1% 34K
Microsoft Excel 2.1c 9% 11K
METZ Task Manager 5% 33K
METZ Desktop Navigator 2% 35K
METZ Desktop Manager 3% 32K
These values may vary from system to system depending on individual
configurations.
NOTE: The percentage of available system resources displayed by
METZ FreeMem may vary slightly from that of the Program Manager.
METZ FreeMem calculates memory more precisely because it takes into
account even the smallest blocks of free memory available for system
resources.
CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
For normal use with Windows, set your METZ FreeMem options as follows:
1. Configure METZ FreeMem to check memory every 3 to 5 seconds.
2. Disable the Compact Memory option.
Here is a list of available METZ FreeMem Configuration options:
Check memory every ## seconds
METZ FreeMem will calculate the amount of memory available every ##
seconds.
Compact memory every ## seconds:
METZ FreeMem will tell Windows to compact memory every ## seconds.
This is useful when you wish to see how much memory a particular
application requires. Check the amount of memory displayed before
and after an application is run to see how much memory it consumes.
When Windows compacts memory, is frees up blocks of memory no longer
being used by an application. These blocks are kept in memory for
performance reasons. The Compact option may decrease your system
performance, although some users have reported better system
performance with the Compact option enabled.
Invert Window:
Choose Invert Window to display white text on a black background.
You may prefer to use the Invert Window, if you have a black desktop
or if you are using a Screen Saver.
Stay in front:
Select this option if you want METZ FreeMem to always be visible and
displayed in front of any other application.
USING METZ FREEMEM WITH A MOUSE
You can move METZ FreeMem on the screen by pressing down on the left mouse
button and dragging it to the location you want. Use the right mouse
button to close METZ FreeMem. Double-click on the METZ FreeMem window
to display the About box containing configuration options.
USING METZ FREEMEM WITHOUT A MOUSE
You can use the following keyboard actions with METZ FreeMEM
ALT+TAB Shifts the focus between windows. (Because METZ FreeMem has
no caption bar, it is difficult to tell if it does have
the focus. See the Microsoft Windows Users Guide for more
information.)
F1 Displays the About box which contains the configuration
options.
ALT+F7 Allows you to move METZ FreeMem with the ARROW keys. Press
ENTER when you are finished moving METZ FreeMem.
ALT+F4 Closes METZ FreeMem.
APPLICATION NOTES
If EMS is detected, the amount free is displayed along with
conventional free memory. A plus sign separates conventional memory from
expanded memory. Expanded memory is displayed on the right. Because
Windows does not recognize expanded memory in Enhanced mode, this value
will never be displayed.
Use the left mouse button to move METZ FreeMem to whatever location
you want on your screen. This position will be stored in the current
FREEMEM.INI for subsequent sessions. The default startup position is
the upper left corner of your screen. You can add METZ FreeMem to the
LOAD or RUN line in your WIN.INI file so that is run automatically during
every Windows session. METZ FreeMem will stay in front of other windows
so that it is always visible, unless you uncheck the Stay in front option.
This makes it easy to observe memory management problems with the Windows
applications you use.
*************************************************************************
PRODUCT INFORMATION SUMMARY
Here is a description of all products currently available from
METZ Software.
COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE
The following Microsoft Windows applications are commercial
software applications offered by METZ Software. Although these
applications are offered as upgrades to our shareware application
customers, these are commercial software releases--and are subject
to the terms of their individual license agreements. Please
contact us for the location of the dealer nearest you.
METZ File F/X
METZ File F/X incorporates two METZ shareware applications,
Desktop Navigator and METZ Task Manager--and adds three new powerful
utilities, F/X Text Search, F/X File Find, and F/X Undelete. We've
drawn upon the many suggestions of our users to dramatically redesign
and enhance this unique file and application management utility package.
Just read what the reviewers are saying!
On February 26, 1991, PC Magazine bestowed the Editor's Choice
award on the METZ Task Manager. Its "First Looks" review said: a
wonderful Task Manager and four other useful utilities make this a
must-buy for Windows users..." (PC Magazine, 1/29/91).
In a recent review titled "ThreadZ (METZ) File Manager Rescues
Frustrated Windows Users," InfoWorld's Editor-in-chief Michael
Miller said: "Among the Windows-specific file managers, File F/X
stands out for its relatively clean design and its ease of use..."
(InfoWorld, 4/22/91).
Find out for yourself! Until March 31, 1992, all registered users
of a METZ Software shareware application can upgrade to METZ File F/X
for $49.95.
METZ Lock 3.1
METZ Lock is a Microsoft Windows application that safeguards your
system from unauthorized use. Flexible security options allow you to
"lock" your system "on-demand," whenever it is left idle, or according
to a schedule. Restrict mouse activity, disable rebooting, or enable
the Screen Saver without locking the system. User-definable hotkeys
and a customizable Screen Saver let you tailor it to your own security
needs. It even works with your password-protected Novell network.
METZ Lock 3.1 TEN PACK
A special METZ Lock 3.1 package that contains one User Guide and
one program disk, but allows you to license ten copies of METZ Lock 3.1
economically.
Access Control Software - Harcom Security Systems
Should your security needs extend beyond Windows to DOS, we have
worked with Harcom Security Systems to develop a complete DOS and
Windows Security solution. Please contact us for pricing and technical
information.
METZ Widget
METZ Widget is a CPU monitor for Windows. Widget is a utility
which can help you justify hardware upgrades by measuring the amount
of time a user waits for the CPU over a given period.
SHAREWARE APPLICATIONS
METZ Task Manager
METZ Task Manager is a replacement for the Microsoft Task List
application. Task Manager expands upon the Task List functions,
providing a comprehensive set of utilities including a handy Screen
Saver, File Manager, customizable Tools menu, and much, much more!
METZ Desktop Navigator
METZ Desktop Navigator is designed to provide fast access to your
drives, directories, and files. File and directory management
functions are also included. Additional features include: a
customizable Screen Saver, flexible window arrangement options, and a
handy file finder.
METZ Phones
METZ Phones is a Microsoft Windows application designed to help
you maintain lists of names, phone numbers, and addresses. If you have
a Hayes-compatible modem, you can use it to autodial numbers from your
phone list.
METZ Dialer
METZ Dialer is a "pop-up" speed dialer that makes it quick and
easy to dial phone numbers with your Hayes-compatible modem. A
customizable pulldown menu lets you add frequently called names and
phone numbers.
METZ Desktop Manager
METZ Desktop Manager is designed to provide you with a friendly
menuing system--plus several bonus utilities. With METZ Desktop
Manager, you can easily create menus and submenus to access your
applications and data directly, no matter where they are located.
Additional features include: a customizable Screen Saver, flexible
window arrangement options, a directory tree display with "point and
shoot" file management, a file finder, and an automatic menu generator.
METZ Time
METZ Time is a digital, "pop-up" date and time display which can
be moved to any location on the screen.
* * * *
Information in this document is subject to change without notice
and does not represent any commitment on the part of METZ Software
Consulting, Inc. No warranties of any kind are associated with this
product.